Study Notes: The World Between the

Wars (1914-1945)

1. Overview of the Early 20th Century

● Eric Hobsbawm called the 20th century “The Age of Extremes” due to stark contrasts:

rise of fascism vs. growing democracy.

● Advances in medicine, education, science, and new art forms (movies) improved life

expectancy and literacy.

● Over 100 countries gained independence; USSR experimented with socialism (state

ownership and planned economy), USA promoted liberal democracy and capitalism.

● The world was divided into industrialized Western powers controlling colonies in Asia and

Africa.

2. Causes of the World Wars

● Aggressive Nationalism: Pride and hatred fueled conflicts; fascism and Nazi ideology

promoted extreme nationalism and racial supremacy.

● Imperialism: Industrial powers competed fiercely for colonies and markets, causing

tensions.

● Secret Alliances: Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria, Italy) vs. Triple Entente (France,

Russia, Britain) created mistrust and an “armed peace.”

● Militarism: Massive military buildup, arms race, and belief in war as a solution increased

tensions.

● Balkan Politics: Conflict over the region post-Ottoman Empire collapse heightened

instability.

● Immediate Cause: Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914) triggered WWI.

3. Aftermath of World War I

● Treaty of Versailles (1919) dismantled empires, created new nations, and imposed harsh

penalties on Germany (territorial loss, reparations).

● League of Nations formed (1920) to prevent future wars but failed to stop aggression

leading to WWII.

4. Russian Revolution and USSR

● Tsarist rule collapsed due to war hardships; 1917 revolutions led by Bolsheviks under

Lenin established a Communist state.

● Land redistribution, end of war, nationalization of factories and banks.

● Civil war between Bolsheviks (Reds) and monarchists/anti-communists (Whites);

Bolsheviks won by 1920.

● USSR established in 1922 aiming for a classless, industrialized society.

● Stalin rose to power post-Lenin, initiating Five-Year Plans for rapid industrialization and

collectivization of agriculture.

● The Soviet model inspired global communist movements but faced criticism for

authoritarianism and suppression.

5. The Great Depression (1929-1939)

● Global economic collapse caused massive unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

● Demand and production declined in a vicious cycle, affecting farmers, workers, and

businesses worldwide.

● Keynesian economics promoted state intervention to revive economies; Roosevelt’s New

Deal in the US introduced social security and welfare measures.

● Germany was severely hit, with hyperinflation and unemployment fueling political

instability.
6. Rise of Fascism and Nazism

● Fascism emphasized national unity, dictatorship, militarism, and suppression of dissent;

against communism and liberalism.

● Mussolini (Italy, 1922), Hitler (Germany, 1933), Franco (Spain), and militarist Japan

adopted fascist or similar ideologies.

● Hitler’s Nazi Party used propaganda, mass rallies, and racial ideology promoting Aryan

supremacy and anti-Semitism.

● Nazis dismantled democracy, arrested opponents, and established a police state with

Gestapo and concentration camps.

● Women were relegated to traditional roles under Nazi ideology.

● Opposition and minorities, particularly Jews, faced persecution culminating in the

Holocaust.

7. Causes and Course of World War II

● Treaty of Versailles’ harsh terms bred resentment in Germany, enabling Hitler’s rise.

● League of Nations failed to prevent aggression by Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, Japan).

● Fear of socialism and communism led Western powers to appease Hitler initially.

● Invasion of Poland (1939) triggered WWII; Allies included UK, France, USSR, USA.

● Key events: Battle of Stalingrad (turning point), atomic bombings of Hiroshima and

Nagasaki (1945), leading to Axis defeat.

● Postwar: Germany divided into East (USSR) and West (USA) blocs; Japan became

constitutional monarchy under US influence.

8. Consequences of the World Wars

● End of major European empires; rise of US and USSR as superpowers.

 ● Decolonization accelerated with countries in Asia and Africa gaining independence by

1950.

● Formation of the United Nations aimed at preserving peace.

● Nuremberg Trials prosecuted Nazi war criminals, though punishments were limited

compared to crimes.

● Economic aid programs (Marshall Plan) helped revive Germany and Japan.

Key Reflections

● The 20th century was marked by extreme political ideologies, devastating wars, and

transformative social changes.

● The failures of diplomacy, economic crises, and nationalism led to repeated global

conflicts.

● The world saw both horrific atrocities (Holocaust, atomic bombings) and hopeful attempts

at international cooperation (UNO).

● The study raises ethical questions about governance, war, human rights, and the role of

the state in citizens’ welfare.

Important Dates

Event Year

Start of WWI 1914

End of WWI 1918

Treaty of Versailles 1919

Formation of USSR 1922

Great Depression begins 1929

Hitler becomes Chancellor 1933

Start of WWII 1939

End of WWII 1945

Formation of UNO 1945

These notes summarize the complex political, economic, and social developments between 1914

and 1945, offering a foundation for deeper study of modern world history.

1. Timeline: Key Events Between 1914 and 1945

● 1914: Beginning of the First World War

● 1917: End of the First World War; Russian Socialist Revolution

● 1918-1919: Treaty of Versailles imposed on defeated Germany and its allies

● 1920: Formation of the League of Nations aimed at maintaining peace

● 1922: Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

● 1929: The Great Depression begins, causing global economic crisis

● 1933: Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany, marking the rise of Nazism

● 1939: Beginning of the Second World War with Germany’s invasion of Poland

● 1945: End of the Second World War; formation of the United Nations; atomic bombings of

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

This timeline highlights major political, economic, and military developments that shaped the

world between the two World Wars, illustrating the causes, course, and consequences of global

conflicts and the attempts to establish lasting peace